UK pushes toward sixth-generation air power with new drone

BAE Systems on Wednesday, July 22, unveiled the Brontanax, a new collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) “loyal wingman” drone designed for the United Kingdom, during the Farnborough Airshow.

Roughly the size of a BAE Hawk jet, the drone is “intended to provide electronic warfare and precision strike capabilities against airborne and ground targets,” the company said, according to foreign media.

The launch was attended by Defence Secretary Wes Streeting, who described the unveiling as a “groundbreaking moment” for British defence, “not just for air power, but for reindustrialisation,” adding that it shows “UK industry is at the forefront of innovation.”

Brontanax is positioned as BAE’s response to the UK’s Storm Fighter CCA programme. “We will adopt this [Brontanax] as our operational concept demonstrator, and we’re going to get it in the air in 2027,” Streeting said.

Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth called the reveal a “historic moment,” aligning it with a broader strategy to make the Royal Air Force “Europe’s first sixth-generation air force.” He said the programme marks a “pivot towards sixth-generation air power, where uncrewed air systems integrate seamlessly with our crude platforms, exponentially increasing our survivability, our lethality, and ultimately our conventional deterrence.” He added the effort would “markedly shift the economic calculus back in our favour, absorbing risk and enabling our crewed platforms to more readily survive.”

The UK has committed £300 million to develop CCAs to operate alongside Eurofighter Typhoon and F-35 Lightning II aircraft, with a pathway for integration into the trilateral Global Combat Air Programme.

BAE executives said Brontanax could take part in Steadfast Defender later this year, with an internal weapons bay compatible with all RAF munitions. Simon Barnes said the company self-funded development with “several hundred million pounds” to “be ready at the time of need, rather than wait.”

Development began in 2022, led by FalconWorks. “This is not a demonstrator,” said David Holmes. “We will be demonstrating with it, but it is set up as a production facility or a production line.” He added the aircraft could support carrier operations.

The platform currently uses a Williams engine, with plans to integrate Rolls-Royce’s Orpheus family.

By Tamilla Hasanova